Recent interviews with Digital Discourse:
46Years of Impact
Building climate‑resilient livelihoods in rural India.
SEDS partners with farming communities in Andhra Pradesh to improve incomes, protect natural resources, and expand access to education.
0Years of Impact
0+Villages Reached
0+Women Supported
0Mandals Covered
Our Story
In 1980, Rajen Joshua and Manil Jayasena Joshua founded SEDS in one of India's most drought-prone regions — Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh. What began as a small effort to strengthen rural livelihoods has grown into 46 years of community-driven transformation.
Today, SEDS supports long‑term development through education access, climate‑smart agriculture, and natural resource management across rural districts in Andhra Pradesh.
Read our full story →
Key Milestones
1980SEDS founded by Rajen & Manil Joshua
1985Watershed development programs begin
1995Community schools established
2005Clean Development Mechanism launched
2015Low carbon farming initiatives expand
Today350+ villages across 5 mandals
Our Programs
Four decades of work in three areas that reinforce one another: education, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental conservation
Children's Education
We help children stay in school through scholarships, learning materials, and community support that removes barriers to attendance.
Clean Development Mechanism
CDM projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating tangible local benefits—better infrastructure, improved services, and new income streams.
Low Carbon Farming
We promote composting, water‑efficient irrigation, and soil‑healthy cultivation to lower costs and improve resilience to drought.
Natural Resource Management
We work with communities to restore local ecosystems, conserve water, and protect shared land and forests.
Transformation in Action
Drag the slider to see how watershed restoration has transformed Anantapur's landscape. Use arrow keys to navigate.
Check dam construction restoring water tables in degraded terrain
Barren terrain transformed into a thriving ecosystem through systematic check dam construction
Valley greening through watershed management and reforestation
Decades of reforestation turned dry valleys into lush green landscapes
Barren wasteland transformed into productive agricultural land
Wasteland reclamation bringing life back to degraded soil through watershed management
Join Our Mission
Your support funds education, sustainable agriculture, and community‑led conservation. Every program is built with local partners and measured for long‑term impact.
Voices from the Field
Hear from volunteers and community members about our impact
"Working with SEDS opened my eyes to the power of community-driven development. The watershed management programs have transformed entire villages."
International Volunteer
Environmental Science Student
"SEDS has been instrumental in bringing sustainable farming practices to our region. Our yields have improved while caring for the environment."
Local Farmer
Anantapur District
"Before the self-help group, I had no way to save or access credit. Now our group manages its own funds, and I was able to start a small tailoring business."
Village Woman
Self-Help Group Member, Somandepalli
"The check dams built by SEDS have recharged our wells. For the first time in years, we have water through the dry season. It has changed everything for our village."
Village Elder
Watershed Beneficiary, Anantapur
Field Notes
Latest updates from the ground
Watershed
New Check Dam Completed in Roddam Mandal
The latest check dam in Roddam mandal is now operational, expected to raise groundwater levels for 3 surrounding villages.
Read more →Education
Annual Science Fair at SEDS School
Students showcased 25 projects on environmental conservation, with the winning project on rainwater harvesting.
Read more →CDM
500th Biogas Digester Installed This Year
A milestone achievement as SEDS installs its 500th biogas digester of the year in Chilamathur mandal.
Read more →Our Partners
Working together with government agencies and international organizations to create lasting change
GoAPGovernment of Andhra Pradesh
NABARDNational Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
DRDADistrict Rural Development Agency
WDFWatershed Development Fund
EUEuropean Union
SDCSwiss Agency for Development and Cooperation